Because airports are among the most demanding operational environments on earth. Every day, thousands of people, vehicles and aircraft share tightly controlled spaces where safety is non-negotiable, efficiency is essential and disruption carries real consequences. Behind the scenes, complex systems must work seamlessly to keep everything moving.
As automation, AI and new mobility models reshape the transport landscape, airports are under increasing pressure to modernise, but they must do so without compromising safety, compliance or operational resilience. That’s where TRL comes in.
For decades, TRL has worked at the intersection of safety science, transport operations and technology innovation. Today, we’re partnering with airports to help them run safer, smarter operations on the ground, from runway to road, and from airside to the public highway in the following ways:
- Automation and Future Mobility
I’m supporting airports that are exploring autonomous automation, including passenger shuttles, cargo movers and luggage vehicles. We’re advising on safety validation, human interaction, and integration with existing infrastructure and operations, enabling innovation with confidence.
- Safety Management and Assurance
We provide independent assurance and risk-based safety management for both airside and landside environments. Our specialists conduct risk assessments, inspections and road safety audits using internationally recognised methodologies, ensuring compliance and operational excellence. In addition, we have provided safety review and audits of airside road layouts, especially in areas under construction.
- Incident and Forensic Collision Investigations
Our expert teams carry out both formal and informal incident investigations, offering fact-based analysis and expert testimony where needed. TRL’s forensic capability helps airports understand what happened, why it occurred, and how to prevent recurrence.
- Training and Capability Building
We design and deliver standard and bespoke training programmes in safety, collision investigation techniques and risk management, empowering airport teams with practical knowledge and long-term capability.
- Pavement investigation
TRL is currently supporting major airports with surveys (taxiways and runways), building on our extensive experience of surveying Britains major road networks. We use intrusive techniques such as coring, FWD (falling weight deflectometer), DCP, HWD (Heavy weight deflectometer) and associated reporting to UKAS accredited standards, and non-intrusive techniques such as visual condition surveys and ground penetrating radar.
- Managing passenger side roads with TRL traffic light software
One of the world’s busiest international airports has adopted TRL’s advanced Urban Traffic Control (UTC) solution powered by SCOOT® 8 AI to manage its passenger side traffic signals. The deployment demonstrates how intelligent, adaptive signal control can improve traffic flow, enhance operational resilience, and support safer, more predictable journeys in demanding, high-traffic settings.
TRL is helping airports operate safely today, while building the smart mobility systems of tomorrow. To find out how we can support your airport’s ground operations, get in touch with the TRL team at enquires@trl.co.uk
